Ep 012 - Water Stains: Causes, Effects, and Prevention

H2O Things to Know

Now that you know what hard water is, how hard water costs you more money than you may realize, and some of the signs that you have hard water — Tom talks about different types of hard water stains and some ways to prevent them.

TRANSCRIPT:

Water — a natural solvent — has the ability to dissolve substances it comes in contact with over time. Depending on its composition, water can leave behind different types of stains, causing various problems in your home. Understanding these stains and taking preventive measures can help maintain a clean home. On this podcast episode, we’ll explore the common types of water stains, their effects, and how to prevent them.

Hard Water StainsHard water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium, leaving behind white spots, soap scum, and chalky buildup on sinks, showers, fixtures, and glass surfaces. It can also affect your appliances, leaving hard water spots on tableware and glasses. Prevention: To prevent hard water stains, consider installing a water softener that uses the ion exchange process to reduce mineral content in the water.

Iron StainsDid you know that iron stains as little as 0.3 parts per million? Water with this iron content causes reddish-orange stains on surfaces such as toilets, dishwashers, and washing machines. It can also discolor clothing during washing. Prevention: Let us determine the type of iron present in your water with a free water test, and we'll recommend the appropriate water treatment solution to remove iron and prevent future stains.

Manganese StainsDid you know that manganese stains as low as 0.05 parts per million? Manganese in water leads to black stains in the areas frequently exposed to water, like sinks, showers, and water-using appliances. Prevention: Have your water tested to identify manganese content. If it's too high, water softeners or backwashing filters will reduce manganese levels and prevent black stains.

Low pH StainsThe abbreviation pH stands for potential for hydrogen. Levels below 7.0 are considered acidic and pH levels above 8.0 are known as alkaline. The goal is to hit the sweet spot in between the two. Water with a low pH value, slightly acidic water, causes blue-green stains and corrodes copper and lead pipes, resulting in metal leaching into the water. Prevention: Get your water's pH level tested and use specialty filters like Neutralizers or Calcite Backwashing Filters to raise the pH level and prevent stains and pipe corrosion.

Water stains can be frustrating and difficult to remove. Have your water tested to identify its composition and choose the appropriate water treatment solution to prevent stains and maintain a clean living space.

Tim Beil Plumbing is proud to offer you a FREE water analysis that tests for hardness, pH, TDS, chlorine, and iron. Contact us today for a free quality water test. One of our water experts will provide you personalized advice and solutions tailored to your specific water conditions.